Council chiefs are carrying out a review of the schools due to budget cuts and say surplus places triggered the consultation. Angry parents, grandparents and supporters of Ysgol Maes Edwin launched an online petition within hours of hearing the news and it has now been signed more than 900 times.

Headteacher John Plunkett said: “The children are very upset. They’re getting anxious for the autumn term so we just need to reassure the children that a decision hasn’t been made yet, it’s a proposal and we can’t predict what the outcome will be.”

He said of the balloons: “The children are eager to track these balloons when they come back with the labels and plot them on a map – the furthest balloon will get a bit of a prize.

“If you find a balloon send the tag back with a picture of yourselves. It’s got an email and postal address on it.”